UofL's defensive coordinator resigns

SPECIAL TO KENTUCKY.COM

University of Louisville defensive coordinator Bill Miller has resigned to take the co-defensive coordinator position at the University of Kansas, the school announced Saturday in a press release.

Miller spent one season with the Cardinals as the linebackers coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator after Ron English left to become the head coach at Eastern Michigan.

"The timing of this is opportunity is very unfortunate," said Miller. "But its an opportunity for me to be closer to my 85-year old father and my brother. I truly appreciate the opportunity Steve gave me at Louisville, and am grateful of the treatment that Tom Jurich and Steve also gave me while I was here. I don't expect many people to understand my decision, but this is something I had to do for my family."

A native of Hutchinson, Kan., Miller came to the Cardinals after spending one season as the defensive coordinator at Western Michigan. In 2007, Miller's defense was one of the best in the Mid-American Conference, leading the conference in pass efficiency defense, ranking second in sacks and fourth in total defense, pass defense and tackles for loss.

Before joining the Broncos staff in 2007, Miller spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator at Arizona State and served as the associate head coach at Florida in 2004 and was the Gators' linebackers coach in 2003 and 2004.

Prior to his stint in Gainesville, Miller was defensive coordinator at Michigan State (1999-02) and for Butch Davis at Miami (1995-98). From 1989-94, Miller served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Oklahoma State. Miller also made brief stops at Minnesota (1986-88, defensive backs), Nevada (1983-85, defensive coordinator/secondary) and Drake (1981-82, secondary).

"Bill has an opportunity to move back to his home state to be closer to his father and other family members," said Kragthorpe. I wish him and his family all the best."

Kragthorpe said he would name a new defensive coordinator next week.